Ship with hard sail

Abstract

To provide a ship with a hard sail which can store in a small storage while having a large area.SOLUTION: Extended sail sections 33, 35 are moved and extended from a sail body 31 to the outside of a width direction WD, and a length of the width direction WD of the hard sail 27 is extended by a holding structure consisting of an upper end load holding part 37 and a driving mechanism 39 when a hard sail 27 is in use to obtain a wind propulsion power by protruding it above a deck. The extended sail sections 33, 35 are moved inward in the width direction WD and stored inside the sail body 31 by the holding structure, and the length of the width direction can be reduced when the hard sail 27 is not in use during storing it in a storage 29 such as cargo handling and storm situations.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a ship equipped with rigid sails. [Background technology]

[0002] Large ships such as bulk carriers consume large amounts of fossil fuels, resulting in CO 2 In order to reduce fossil fuel consumption, large ships are fitted with rigid sails to assist in propulsion and reduce CO 2 Attempts are being made to reduce CO2 emissions. In a ship disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 5828409 (Patent Document 1), multiple hard sails are installed on the deck, and wind power is used to obtain auxiliary propulsion force. FIG. 17 shows a storage structure that can be used during storms and cargo handling, in which the hard sails are moved up and down by a lifting device extending in the vertical direction and arranged under the deck and stored in a hangar. In addition, in order to obtain maximum propulsion force, it is preferable that the area of ​​the hard sail is as large as possible. Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 61-187800 (Patent Document 2) discloses a hard sail that can be extended and retracted horizontally to ensure a sufficiently large area, instead of restricting the height of the hard sail to ensure the visibility and radar detection range required for maneuvering. The hard sail is extended and retracted using a hydraulic cylinder mechanism. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5828409 [Patent Document 2] Utility Model Patent Publication No. 187800 / 1986 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A hangar for hard sails installed below the deck affects the design of the hull's weight, rigidity, etc., and limits the ship's loading capacity, so it is advantageous for the size to be as small as possible. However, if the hangar is small, the area of ​​the stored hard sails will also be small, and sufficient propulsive force will not be obtained. If the hard sails can be extended horizontally, as in the hard sail described in Patent Document 2, it is possible to increase the area of ​​the hard sails on the deck. However, Patent Document 2 only discloses the idea of ​​shortening the width of the hard sails to a range that does not interfere with radar detection during radar detection, and does not disclose or suggest storing the hard sails in a hangar installed below the deck or the problems that may arise when storing them.

[0005] One object of the present invention is to provide a ship equipped with rigid sails that has a large area and can be stored in a small hangar.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a ship equipped with a hard sail which is capable of preventing distortion and deformation of the hard sail when extended, or which is capable of keeping the distortion within a minimum set range.

[0007] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a ship equipped with a rigid sail which can be smoothly extended and retracted in a short period of time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The ship to which this invention applies is a ship equipped with hard sails that generate propulsive force by catching the wind, protrude vertically above the deck when in use, and are stored in a hangar provided below the deck when not in use, and one or more wind-powered propulsion devices that have a lifting device for raising and lowering the hard sails in the vertical direction.

[0009] In the present invention, the wind propulsion device comprises a device body to which a hard sail is fixed and which is raised and lowered by a lifting device, and the hard sail comprises a sail body supported by the device body, an extended sail portion extending in the width direction from the sail body, and a holding structure for holding the extended sail portion on the sail body so that it can move in the width direction. In the present invention, the holding structure is capable of moving the extended sail portion outward in the width direction when the hard sail protrudes above the deck, and holds the extended sail portion so that it can move inward in the width direction when the hard sail is stored in the hangar.

[0010] In the present invention, when the hard sail is not in use, the device main body is in a lowered position and stored in a hangar provided below the deck. When the hard sail is used, the device main body is raised so that the hard sail protrudes vertically above the deck, and then the extended sail section is moved widthwise outward from the sail main body by the retaining structure to extend the widthwise length, thereby increasing the area of ​​the hard sail. When storing the hard sail, before the device main body is lowered, the extended sail section is moved widthwise inward by the retaining structure to reduce the widthwise length of the entire hard sail so that it can be stored in the hangar. The device main body is then lowered and the hard sail is stored in the hangar. Thus, according to the present invention, a hard sail with a large area can be stored in a small hangar, which makes it possible to achieve sufficient propulsive force without restricting the structure or load capacity of the ship.

[0011] The retaining structure may include an upper end load retaining portion that is positioned near the upper end of the sail body and holds the extended sail portion suspended from the sail body, and a drive mechanism that applies a force to the extended sail portion to move it in the width direction.

[0012] By holding the extended sail suspended from the main sail in this way, it is possible to prevent the extended sail from applying a biased force to the main sail when it is extended outward in the width direction, particularly when the rigid sail is large (for example, when the extended sail is extended to a width of 25m or more and a height of 8m or more), as it will tilt relative to the main sail due to its own weight. As a result, it is possible to move the extended sail smoothly while preventing or minimizing distortion and deformation of the rigid sail.

[0013] Although multiple load retaining units can be provided for one extended sail section, the weight of the entire rigid sail increases accordingly, so it is preferable to have one near the upper end. For the same reason, it is preferable to have only one drive mechanism. The load retaining unit may also include a drive mechanism, but this would raise the center of gravity of the sail body, resulting in limitations on the structure and strength of the rigid sail. Therefore, it is preferable to place the drive mechanism near the lower end of the sail body.

[0014] The drive mechanism can be designed not to bear the load of the extended sail in order to move the extended sail smoothly, but it may also be configured to hold at least a portion of the load of the extended sail at least temporarily during the movement process of the extended sail. For example, after the load holding unit has fully extended the extended sail outward in the width direction, the drive mechanism arranged near the lower end of the sail body is further driven to lift the extended sail from below, thereby preventing or correcting the sagging of the extended sail from the sail body.

[0015] The drive mechanism may include a threaded rod member rotatably fixed to the sail body and extending in the width direction, a nut member fixed to the extended sail portion at least in the axial direction of the threaded rod member and screwed into the threaded rod member, and a drive source that rotates and drives the threaded rod member to move the nut member in the width direction along the threaded rod member.

[0016] A drive mechanism consisting of such a combination of a nut member and a threaded rod member can be constructed smaller and less expensively than a hydraulic cylinder, and it has the advantage of being economical as it allows the stopping position of the extended sail to be finely adjusted and does not require a continuous supply of energy (hydraulic pressure) from outside to fix the position.

[0017] The nut member may be a half nut member that screws into the upper half of the threaded rod member. By using a half nut member, even if an offset load occurs at the part that screws into the threaded rod member during the movement of the extension sail, the extension sail will not be pulled downward by the drive mechanism and will not deform or warp, and the threads will not easily become stuck or deformed, thereby improving the durability of the drive mechanism.

[0018] The drive mechanism may further comprise a support member fixed to the sail body and provided with a semi-cylindrical support groove over the entire length of the threaded rod member that contacts the threads of the lower half of the threaded rod member. The support member supports the threaded rod member from below, and when the load of the extension sail portion is applied via the half nut member, it supports the threaded rod member to prevent bending, and can avoid damage to the threaded rod member and stoppage of the drive mechanism. In addition, by storing lubricating oil in the support groove, friction between the half nut member and the threaded rod member can be easily reduced for a long period of time.

[0019] It is aerodynamically advantageous for the horizontal cross-sectional profile of the entire rigid sail consisting of the sail body and the extended sail to have an arc-shaped (airfoil-shaped) shape. In this case, the half nut member may be movably fixed to the tip end of the extended sail located in the axial direction of the threaded rod member via a connecting structure. It is preferable that the connecting structure has a structure that connects the half nut member and the extended sail member so that the extended sail member can move relative to the half nut member within a predetermined range along an imaginary line that crosses the axial line of the threaded rod member and extends horizontally. By adopting such a connecting structure, the extended sail member can be moved smoothly while tracing an arc-shaped trajectory even if the nut member is screwed onto the linear threaded rod member.

[0020] The connecting structure may be a structure including a columnar portion protruding upward from the top of the half nut member, and a long hole portion provided near the lower end of the extension sail portion, into which the columnar portion is movably fitted, and having a predetermined length along an imaginary line extending horizontally intersecting the axis of the threaded rod member. With such a connecting structure, even if the half nut member is moved linearly along the threaded rod member, the columnar portion moves in the long hole portion in relative terms, and the extension sail portion can move along an arc. Therefore, even if a drive mechanism consisting of a threaded rod member and a nut member that move linearly is used, the extension sail portion can be moved so as to draw an arc. Appropriate play may also be provided in the vertical radial direction of the threaded rod member so that the columnar portion can move in the long hole without significant resistance.

[0021] The upper load retaining portion may comprise a guide rail extending in the width direction near the upper end of the sail body, and one or more rolling bodies that are rotatably mounted relative to the extended sail and roll on the rolling surface of the guide rail. This combination of guide rail and rolling bodies is relatively lightweight and simple in construction, and can retain the load of the extended sail in a suspended manner.

[0022] A pair of extended sails may be arranged on both sides of the sail body in the width direction, and the sail body and the pair of extended sails may be configured so that the pair of extended sails are stored inside the sail body. By storing the extended sails inside the sail body in this way, the thickness (length in the fore-aft direction) of the hard sail resulting from the reduction of the extended sails can be minimized, thereby making it possible to reduce the size of the storage facility for the hard sails. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bulk carrier, which is an example of a ship equipped with rigid sails to which the present invention can be applied. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a left side view (side view seen from the starboard side) of the bulk carrier of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the bulk carrier of FIG. 1. [Figure 4]This is a diagram showing the rear part of the hull where holds 7 to 9 are provided. [Diagram 5] 5(B) is a front view of a reduced-size rigid sail with a transparent exterior panel that allows the internal structure to be seen, and FIG. 5(C) is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5(B) taken along line CC. [Figure 6] 6(B) is a front view of a rigid sail in an extended state with a transparent exterior panel that allows the internal structure to be seen, and FIG. 6(C) is a cross-sectional view of the rigid sail taken along line CC in FIG. 6(B). [Figure 7] 6(A) and (B) are respectively an enlarged plan view and an enlarged front view showing the structure around the trolley in the rigid sail in the contracted state of FIG. 5, and (C) and (D) are respectively an enlarged front view and an enlarged cross-sectional view along line CC showing the structure around the drive mechanism. [Figure 8] 6(A), (B) and (C) are enlarged views showing the structure of three main parts of the rigid sail in the extended state of FIG. 6(A), (B) and (C), respectively. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 6(B). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a ship according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The configuration of one example of a ship to which the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4. In the structure shown in Figs. 1 to 4, a retaining structure for an extended sail section, which is an essential requirement in the configuration of the present invention, is not shown. Fig. 2 is a left side view (side view seen from the starboard side) of the bulk carrier in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a plan view. Fig. 4 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the rear part of the hull in which holds 7 to 9 described below are provided.

[0025] <Overall composition> The bulk carrier 1 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is a large ship with an overall length of 55 m or more, which is subject to the multilateral treaty "International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS Convention)" that prescribes rules for ensuring the safety of ships. The bulk carrier 1 has a bow 5 at one end of the hull 3 in the traveling direction FD, a stern 7 at the other end, and a deck (upper deck) 9 on the hull 3. The bulk carrier 1 has the hull 3 divided into a plurality of compartments, and holds 11 (first hold 11A to ninth hold 11I) for carrying cargo are formed under the deck 9, as partially shown in FIG. 4. In FIG. 1, the positions where the first hold to the ninth hold are present are denoted by reference numerals 11A to 11I. The first hold 11A to the ninth hold 11I are each provided with openings 13A to 13I that open to the deck 9, hatch coamings 15A to 15I that surround the periphery of the openings 13A to 13I, and hatch covers 17A to 17I that slide in the width direction WD of the hull to close the openings 13A to 13I. A bridge 19, a radar mast 21, and a funnel 23 are provided at the stern 7.

[0026] The bulk carrier 1 of this embodiment is equipped with rigid sail devices as the eight wind propulsion devices 25. In this embodiment, specifically, the eight wind propulsion devices 25 are eight rigid sail devices 25A to 25H. The eight rigid sail devices 25A to 25H are each equipped with rigid sails 27A to 27H, which are wind propulsion force generating units. In Figs. 1 to 3, the rigid sail devices 25A to 25H are in use, and the rigid sails 27A to 27H are protruding upward in the vertical direction VD on the deck 9. The eight rigid sail devices 25A to 25H are set with hangars (29A to 29H) arranged between two holds 11 aligned in the traveling direction FD of the ship (for example, between the first hold 11A and the second hold 11B, between the second hold 11B and the third hold 11C, etc.). 1, the locations of the hangars are denoted by reference numerals 29A to 29H. As described later, the rigid sails 27A to 27H are configured to be able to be stored in the hangars 29A to 29H provided below the deck 9.

[0027] <Rigid sail lifting mechanism> FIG. 4 shows the rear part of the hull 3 in which the seventh hold 11G to the ninth hold 11I are provided. As shown in the figure, bulkheads (30A to 30H) that separate the holds are provided between the seventh hold 11G and the eighth hold 11H, and between the eighth hold 11H and the ninth hold 11I. Note that FIG. 4 shows bulkhead 30G and bulkhead 30H, while the bulkheads 30A to 30F are not shown in the other figures. These bulkheads 30A to 30H are composed of two bulkhead plates that are arranged at an interval in the traveling direction of the ship. A hangar 29 for storing rigid sails is provided between these two bulkhead plates.

[0028] Although not all of them are shown in Fig. 4, a total of eight hangars 29A-29H (see Fig. 1) are provided on the hull 3, such as hangar 29A between the first hold 11A and the second hold 11B, hangar 29B between the second hold 11B and the third hold 11C, etc., each of which is set with a hard sail device 25A-25H. In the example shown in Fig. 4, hard sail 27G is in use and taken out from hangar 29G, and hard sail 27H is not in use and stored in hangar 29H. Since the hard sails can be stored in the hangars as needed, if wind force impedes navigation, all the hard sails can be stored in the hangars and the ship can navigate as a normal ship, and if the hard sails are stored in the hangars at the port, they will not interfere with the loading and unloading cranes.

[0029] In the following, for ease of explanation, unless a distinction is particularly necessary, the hangar will be referred to as 29, the rigid sails as 27, and the wind propulsion devices as 25, and explanations of the other hangars, rigid sails, and wind propulsion devices will be omitted.

[0030] The hangar 29 has a shape that extends in the width direction WD, the up-down direction VD, and the traveling direction FD of the hull 3. The wind propulsion device 25 comprises a hard sail 27 which is a wind propulsion force generating unit, a device main body 45 (shown in Figs. 5(B) and 6(B)) to which the hard sail 27 is fixed, and a lifting device (not shown) that lifts and lowers the hard sail 27 in the up-down direction by winding up and down a wire connected to the device main body 45. The device main body 45 comprises a shaft structure 49 that rotatably supports the hard sail 27, and a drive device (not shown) that includes a rotation drive source that rotates the shaft structure 49.

[0031] <Extended Rigid Sails> In this embodiment, of the eight hard sails shown in Fig. 1, the rear hard sails 27D-27H each have a structure in which their length in the width direction WD (including when the angle from the width direction WD of the ship changes due to the rotation of the shaft structure 49) can be expanded or contracted. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 5 and subsequent figures, a pair of extension sail parts 33, 35 are stored inside the sail body 31 supported by the shaft structure 49. With the hard sail 27 protruding above the deck 9, the pair of extension sail parts 33, 35 are extended to both outsides in the width direction WD, thereby expanding the area of ​​the hard sail 27 that catches the wind.

[0032] In this embodiment, the rigid sails 27D to 27H are different sizes as shown in the respective drawings, but after the extension sail portion is extended, the length in the width direction WD is 38.2 m and the height in the vertical direction VD is 8.4 m to 14.3 m.

[0033] Figures 5 and 7 show the whole of a rigid sail and each part in a reduced state, with the facing panels and framework shown as transparent, while Figures 6, 8 and 9 show the whole of a rigid sail and each part in a stretched state, with the facing panels and framework shown as transparent.

[0034] The wind propulsion device 25 includes a hard sail 27 and a device body 45 to which the hard sail 27 is fixed and which is raised and lowered by a lifting device. The hard sail 27 includes a sail body 31 supported by the device body 45 via an axis structure 49, two extended sail sections 33, 35 extending from the sail body 31 to both sides outside in the width direction WD, and a holding structure that holds the extended sail sections 33, 35 on the sail body 31 so that they can move in the width direction WD. When the hard sail 27 is out on the deck 9, the holding structure holds the extended sail sections 33, 35 so that they can move outward in the left and right directions in the width direction WD, and when the hard sail 27 is stored in the hangar 29, holds the extended sail sections 33, 35 so that they can move inward in the left and right directions in the width direction WD.

[0035] The retaining structure is positioned near the upper end of the sail body 31 and includes an upper end load retaining section 37 that holds the extended sail sections 33, 35 suspended from the sail body 31, and a drive mechanism 39 that applies a force to the extended sail sections 33, 35 to move them in the width direction WD.

[0036] The sail body 31 has a box shape with both ends open in the width direction, and the extended sail sections 33, 35 are inserted from both ends of the sail body 31. In other words, the extended sail sections 33, 35 are arranged inside the sail body 31 so that they can move in the width direction. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the upper end load retaining section 37 is equipped with a guide rail 61 that extends in the width direction WD near the upper end of the sail body 31, and a number of trolley wheels 63 that are rotatably mounted relative to the extended sail sections 33, 35 and roll on the rolling surfaces of the guide rail 61. As shown in Figure 9, the guide rail 61 is fixed to the upper end top plate section 31A of the sail body 31 so as to extend in the width direction. . As shown in FIG. 9, the guide rail 61 is an I-beam, and of the upper and lower flanges 611, 612, the upper surface of the lower flange 612 becomes the rolling surface of the trolley wheel 63.

[0037] The extended sails 33, 35 have a box shape with an opening at one end located inside the sail body 31. A trolley wheel 63 is fixed onto the top plate portions 33A, 35A at the upper ends of the extended sails 33, 35 located inside the sail body 31. The trolley wheel 63 has a structure in which two wheel portions are disposed on the flange 612 of the guide rail 61, and the wheels move while rotating on the flange 612 of the guide rail 61. This combination of the guide rail 61 and the trolley wheel 63 makes it possible to hold the extended sails 33, 35 in a suspended state on the guide rail 61 with a relatively lightweight and simple configuration.

[0038] As shown in Figure 8, a trolley wheel 63 is provided on each of the ends of the extension sail sections 33, 35 on the sail body 31 side. In this embodiment, the upper end load retaining section 37 is made up of the guide rail 61 and the trolley wheel 63. The wheel sections of the trolley wheel 63 are arranged in pairs in the width direction on both sides of the web 614 of the guide rail 61, for a total of four. As a trolley including the trolley wheel 63, for example, a ready-made one rated at 30 tons can be used.

[0039] The guide rail 61 is curved so that it can slide inside the sail body 31, which has an arc-shaped cross section. The guide rail 61 is constructed as a single piece that spans the entire width of the sail body 31, and also serves as the beam of the sail body 31. Stoppers (not shown) are provided on both ends of the guide rail 61, and when the trolley wheel 63 moves outward in the width direction WD, it hits the stoppers and stops, restricting further movement.

[0040] The drive mechanism 39 is arranged along the bottom wall portion 31B of the sail body 31 and includes two threaded rod members 411, 412 rotatably fixed to the bottom wall portion 31B. 、2The sailing sail comprises two half nut members 43 that screw into the two threaded rod members 411, 412, and a drive device 51 that rotates and drives the two threaded rod members 411, 412. The half nut members 43, 43 are fixed to the ends of the bottom wall portions 35B of the extension sail portions 33, 35 on the sail body 31 side. The half nut members 43, 43 have female threaded portions that screw into the male threaded portions of the threaded rod members 411, 412, respectively, and when the threaded rod members 411, 412 are rotated and driven, the half nut members 43, 43 move in the width direction WD along the threaded rod members 411, 412, respectively.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 8(B), the drive device 51 comprises a drive motor 511, a drive side bevel gear 512 fixed to a drive shaft of the drive motor 511 extending upward in the vertical direction VD, and driven side bevel gears 513 and 514 arranged opposite each other across the drive side bevel gear 512, each meshing with the drive side bevel gear 512, each fixed to a threaded rod member 411, 412, and rotating in accordance with the drive side bevel gear 512.

[0042] The drive mechanism 39 including the combination of this type of half nut member 43 and threaded rod members 411, 412 can be constructed more compactly and inexpensively than a hydraulic cylinder, and can finely adjust the stopping positions of the extension sails 33, 35. Moreover, there is no need to continue to supply energy (hydraulic pressure) from an external source to fix the position, making it economical.

[0043] The axes of the threaded rod members 411, 412 extend horizontally outward from the shaft structure 49 approximately along the width direction WD. As shown in Fig. 6(C), the axes of the threaded rod members 411, 412 are slightly inclined rearward in the direction of travel FD (toward the stern 7) in accordance with the arc-shaped outline of the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the hard sail 27. In other embodiments, the orientation of the axes of the threaded rod members 411, 412 may coincide with the width direction WD or may be inclined more than in this embodiment, depending on the size of the hard sail.

[0044] In this embodiment, the half nut members 43 screw into the upper halves of the corresponding threaded rod members 411, 412. By using the half nut members, even if an unbalanced load occurs at the part that screws into the threaded rod members 411, 412 while the extension sails 33, 35 are moving, the extension sails 33, 35 will not be pulled downward by the drive mechanism 39 and will not deform or warp, and the threads will not easily become stuck or deformed, thereby increasing the durability of the drive mechanism 39.

[0045] 9 and 8(B), the drive mechanism 39 further includes a pair of elongated support members 53 that extend along the threaded rod members 411, 412 and are fixed to the bottom wall portion 31B of the sail body 31. The support members 53, 53 are provided with a support groove 53A that extends the entire length of the threaded rod members 411, 412 and has a smooth semi-cylindrical inner circumferential surface (a surface having a semicircular cross section) with an inner diameter the same as the outer diameter of the threads of the threaded rod members 411, 412. The support members 53, 53 support the threaded rod members 411, 412 from below, and when the load of the extension sails 33, 35 is applied via the two half nut members 43, they support the threaded rod members 411, 412 from below, preventing the threaded rod members 411, 412 from bending, thereby avoiding the occurrence of malfunctions such as damage to the threaded rod members 411, 412 and stoppage of operation of the drive mechanism 39. Lubricating oil is stored in the support groove 53A to reduce friction between the two half nut members 43 and the threaded rod members 411, 412.

[0046] As described above, the horizontal cross-sectional profile of the entire hard sail 27 consisting of the sail body 31 and the extended sail sections 33, 35 has an arc-shaped (wing-shaped) shape, so that the hard sail of this embodiment is advantageous in terms of aerodynamics. The two half nut members 43 are movably fixed to the tip end of the extended sail sections 33, 35 located in the axial direction of the threaded rod members 411, 412 via a connecting structure 58. The connecting structure 58 has a structure that connects the half nut member 43 and the extended sail sections 33, 35 so that the extended sail sections 33, 35 can move relative to the half nut member 43 within a predetermined range along a virtual line PL that crosses the axial line of the threaded rod members 411, 412 and extends horizontally. By adopting such a connecting structure 58, even if the half nut member 43 is screwed onto the linear threaded rod members 411, 412, the extended sail sections 33, 35 can be moved smoothly while tracing an arc-shaped trajectory.

[0047] 8(B) and (C), a specific connecting structure 58 includes a cylinder 55 protruding upward from the top of the half nut member 43, and an elongated hole 57 provided near the lower ends of the extended sails 33, 35, into which the cylinder 55 is movably fitted, the elongated hole 57 having a predetermined length along the imaginary line PL. The elongated hole 57 is provided in a plate 59 fixed to the innermost part of the lower ends of the extended sails 33, 35.

[0048] With this type of connection structure 58, even if the half nut member 43 is moved linearly along the threaded rod members 411, 412, the extended sails 33, 35 can move in an arc as the cylinder 55 moves in the long hole 57 relatively (physically, the plate 59 with the long hole 57 moves relative to the cylinder 55). Therefore, even if a drive mechanism consisting of the threaded rod members 411, 412 and the half nut member 43, which move linearly, is used, the extended sails 33, 35 can be moved to draw an arc.

[0049] When extending the rigid sail of this embodiment, the load of the extended sail sections 33, 35 is supported by the upper end load retaining section 37, and the extended sail sections 33, 35 are moved in the width direction WD relative to the sail body 31 by driving the threaded rod members 411, 412 of the drive mechanism 39 located near the lower end of the sail body 31.

[0050] In this embodiment, a pair of extended sail sections 33, 35 are arranged on both sides of the sail body 31 in the width direction WD, and the sail body 31 and the pair of extended sail sections 33, 35 are each configured so that the pair of extended sail sections 33, 35 are stored inside the sail body 31. By storing the extended sail sections 33, 35 inside the sail body 31 in this manner, the thickness of the hard sail resulting from the reduction of the extended sail sections 33, 35 (the length in the direction of travel FD) is kept to a minimum, and the size of the hangar 29 for the hard sail 27 can also be reduced.

[0051] <Operation> Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0052] In the bulk carrier 1 equipped with rigid sails of this embodiment, when loading and unloading cargo while anchored in a port, the rigid sails 27 are stored in the hangar 29 below the deck 9 with the extension sail sections 33, 35 shown in Figure 5 retracted so as not to interfere with the work.

[0053] When the bulk carrier 1 leaves port and reaches the open sea and uses the wind propulsion device 25 to obtain propulsive force, the device body 45 is raised by the lifting device 47 to project the hard sail 27 above the deck 9.

[0054] Next, when the drive mechanism 39 is driven to rotate the threaded rod members 411, 412, the half nut member 43 that was screwed onto the threaded rod members 411, 412 moves outward in the width direction WD. The half nut member 43 moves the extended sails 33, 35, which are semi-fixed via the cylinder 55 and the long hole 57, outward in the width direction WD. At the same time, the trolley wheel 63 of the upper end load retaining part 37 rolls on the rolling surface of the guide rail 61, and the upper end load retaining part 37 moves outward in the width direction WD while suspending the extended sails 33, 35 and supporting the load.

[0055] When the trolley wheel 63 abuts against the stopper, the upper end load retaining portion 37 stops and the hard sail 27 is extended as shown in FIG.

[0056] After the hard sail 27 is extended, the shaft structure 49 is rotated and the angle is adjusted so that the propulsive force in the traveling direction FD is maximized according to the wind direction, and the bulk carrier 1 is sailed using auxiliary propulsive force from the wind.

[0057] When storing the hard sail 27, the drive mechanism 39 is driven to rotate the threaded rod members 411, 412 in the reverse direction and move the half nut member 43 inward in the width direction WD, which causes the upper end load retaining part 37 to follow and the extended sail parts 33, 35 to contract and be stored inside the sail body 31, returning to the state shown in Figure 5. After that, the device body 45 is lowered by the lifting device 47 and the hard sail 27 is stored in the hangar 29.

[0058] Therefore, according to the bulk carrier 1 equipped with the rigid sails 27 of this embodiment, the rigid sails 27 having a large area can be stored in a small hangar 29, and sufficient propulsive force can be achieved.

[0059] In particular, in this embodiment, the extended sails 33, 35 are held suspended by the upper load retaining part 37 consisting of a trolley equipped with the guide rails 61 and trolley wheels 63 of the sail body 31, and when the extended sails 33, 35 are extended outward in the width direction WD, particularly when the rigid sail 27 is large, the extended sails 33, 35 become inclined relative to the sail body 31 due to their own weight, preventing the extended sails 33, 35 from applying a biased force to the sail body 31. As a result, the extended sails 33, 35 can be moved smoothly while preventing or minimizing distortion and deformation of the rigid sail.

[0060] The above-described embodiment has been described as an example, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiment as long as it does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0061] According to the present invention, a ship equipped with rigid sails can be provided which can be stored in a small hangar by moving the extended sail portion widthwise outward from the sail body to extend the widthwise length when in use, and by moving the extended sail portion widthwise inward when not in use to reduce the widthwise length. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1. Bulk Carrier 3. Hull 5. Bow 7 Stern 9 Deck (Upper Deck) 11(11A~11I) Hold 13(13A~13I) Opening 15(15A~15I) Edge material 17(17A~17I) Hatch cover 19 Funabashi 21 Radar Mast 23 Chimney 25(25A~25H) Wind propulsion device (rigid sail device) 27(27A~27H) Wind propulsion generating section (rigid sail) 29(29A~29H) Hangar 31 Sail body 33,35 Extended sail section 37 Upper end load holding part 39 Drive mechanism 411,412 Threaded rod members 43 Half nut material 45 Device body 47 Lifting device 49 Shaft structure 51 Drive unit 511 Drive motor 512 Drive side bevel gear 513,514 Driven bevel gear 53 Support member 55 Cylinder 57 long hole 58 Connection structure 59 Plate 61 Guide rail 63 Trolley Wheel

Claims

1. A ship equipped with one or more wind-powered propulsion devices having a hard sail that receives wind to generate propulsive force, protrudes vertically above the deck when in use, and is stored in a hangar provided below the deck when not in use, and a lifting device that raises and lowers the hard sail in the vertical direction, The wind-propulsion device includes a device body to which the rigid sail is fixed and which is raised and lowered by the lifting device, The rigid sail comprises a sail body supported by the device body, an extension sail portion extending in the width direction from the sail body, and a holding structure for holding the extension sail portion on the sail body so as to be movable in the width direction, A ship equipped with hard sails, characterized in that the retaining structure retains the extended sail portion so that it can be moved outward in the width direction when the hard sail is out on the deck, and retains the extended sail portion so that it can be moved inward in the width direction when the hard sail is stored in the hangar.

2. The holding structure includes: An upper end load retaining portion that is disposed near the upper end of the sail body and retains the load of the extended sail portion so as to suspend the extended sail portion from the sail body; 2. A ship equipped with a rigid sail as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a drive mechanism for applying a force to the extended sail portion to move the extended sail portion in the width direction.

3. 3. A ship equipped with a rigid sail as described in claim 2, wherein the drive mechanism holds at least a portion of the load of the extended sail section at least temporarily during the process of moving the extended sail section.

4. A ship equipped with a rigid sail as described in claim 3, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a threaded rod member rotatably fixed to the sail body and extending in the width direction, a nut member fixed to the extended sail portion at least in the axial direction of the threaded rod member and screwed onto the threaded rod member, and a drive source that rotates and drives the threaded rod member to move the nut member in the width direction along the threaded rod member.

5. 5. A ship equipped with a rigid sail according to claim 4, wherein the nut member is a half nut member that is screwed into an upper half of the threaded rod member.

6. 6. A ship equipped with a rigid sail as described in claim 5, wherein the drive mechanism further comprises a support member fixed to the sail body and provided with a support groove having an inner diameter the same as the outer diameter of the threads of the threaded rod member and a smooth semi-cylindrical inner circumferential surface over the entire length of the threaded rod member.

7. When the extended sail portion is fully extended, the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the entire hard sail consisting of the sail body and the extended sail portion has an arc-shaped profile, The half nut member is movably fixed to the tip end of the extension sail portion located in the axial direction of the threaded rod member via a connecting structure, A ship equipped with a rigid sail as described in claim 4, wherein the connecting structure connects the half nut member and the extended sail portion so that the extended sail portion can move relative to the half nut member within a predetermined range along an imaginary line extending horizontally and intersecting the axis of the threaded rod member.

8. A ship equipped with a rigid sail as described in claim 7, wherein the connecting structure comprises a cylindrical portion protruding upward from the upper part of the half nut member, and a long hole portion provided near the lower end of the extended sail portion, into which the cylindrical portion is movably fitted, and having a predetermined length along an imaginary line extending horizontally and intersecting the axis of the threaded rod member.

9. The upper end load retaining portion is A guide rail extending in the width direction near the upper end of the sail body; 9. A ship equipped with a rigid sail as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 8, further comprising one or more rolling bodies rotatably mounted on the extension sail portion and rolling on the rolling surface of the guide rail.

10. A pair of the extension sail portions is arranged on both sides of the sail body in the width direction, A ship equipped with a rigid sail as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the sail body and the pair of extended sail sections are each configured so that the pair of extended sail sections are stored inside the sail body.

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